Words in Thy Mouth
In the manual: Come, Follow Me lesson 43, “Before I Formed Thee in the Belly I Knew Thee,” on Gospel Library
Start
When the Lord called him, Jeremiah objected. “Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child” (Jeremiah 1:6).
Read Together
The Hebrew word Jeremiah used for child can mean a boy or a young man. He felt too young and too unskilled to speak for God.
7But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. 8Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord. 9Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. 10See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.
What It Teaches
The Lord told him not to say he was a child. He promised, “Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee.” Then he touched Jeremiah’s mouth and said, “Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth” (verses 7 to 9).
Verse 10 lists Jeremiah’s work. Four of the six verbs are about tearing down, and two are about building and planting. A prophet warns people away from what will hurt them so that something better can grow.
Next the Lord showed him the branch of an almond tree (verse 11). The almond is the first tree to blossom in Israel’s spring, and in Hebrew its name sounds like the word for watching. The Lord then said, “I will hasten my word to perform it.” In Hebrew, the word translated “hasten” is that word for watching. Like the almond awake in late winter, the Lord is awake and watching over his word.
The Lord still calls prophets and apostles and puts his words in their mouths. Earlier this month, at general conference, we heard them testify of Jesus Christ.
Talk About It
When have you felt too young or too unsure to do something the Lord asked? What helped, or what might help next time?
Take to Church
The Lord answered a young prophet’s fear with a promise, “I am with thee.” He makes the same promise to young people he calls today.